Summary
Horrorgames draw their plots from all sorts of different themes. However, searching for a missing wife is a common theme in many horror games. This desperate search spurs the protagonist on and gives a reason why they’re putting up with so muchspookystuff.
In these games, the protagonist often has to travel across scary landscapes, confront supernatural forces, and unravel dark family secrets (which often explain why the wife disappeared to begin with. In many cases, the protagonist has to combat external horrorsandinternal demons. This curated collection showcases standout titles that capture this haunting motif.
Hollowbody isa minimalist indie survival horrorthat takes you through an abandoned British town full of mystery. You follow Mica as she searches for her missing partner. The experience is extremely atmospheric, drawing inspiration from a lot of early 2000s horror games.
This game has very simple graphics and limited technical polish. However, its narrative depth is enough to make it a must-play. Environmental storytelling, delivered through scattered notes and cryptic audio logs, gradually reveals a tragic backstory intertwined with supernatural elements. This game isveryslow-paced and more mystery-oriented, unlike other horror games.
Signalis is an interesting blend of retro graphics and modern survival horror. It’s set in a dystopian,sci-fi world, where you control a mysterious protagonist who is on a quest to find her missing partner. You have to navigate eerie corridors and haunting landscapes.
The game features pixel graphics, atmospheric soundscapes, and intricate puzzles that evoke a sense of isolation and desperation. As you navigate derelict facilities and surreal environments, disturbing memories and cryptic messages hint at a dark backstory. Signalis is another slow-burning narrative that blends classical horror elements with existential themes.
Outlast 2 plunges you into a nightmarish world where protagonist Blake Langermann faces unspeakable horrors while searching for his missing wife. Set in a rural, cult-infested region, the game relies on its intense atmosphere and raw terror rather than traditional combat. As Blake traverses desolate landscapes and abandoned structures, he must hide, run, and use his wits to survive encounters with twisted, fanatical enemies.
The narrative is told in a found-footage style, and there areplentyof claustrophobic environments. The pacing is much faster than the other games we’ve discussed this far, too, making it more of a modern horror experience.
Home Sweet Home is aobscure survival horror gamethat draws inspiration from Thai folklore. It follows the protagonist, Tim, after he wakes up in a distorted reality after the disappearance of his wife, Jane. As he searches through eerie, puzzle-filled environments, Tim encounters malevolent spirits and unsettling creatures drawn from local legends.
The bulk of the game’s narrative unfolds in diary entries and environmental clues. The gameplay mechanics are a blend of stealth and exploration, with a few jump scares thrown in for good measure! The atmosphere is one of persistent dread and carries a lot of the ‘horror’ aspects of the game.
The Evil Within 2 offers a dual rescue mission as its horror protagonist embarks on a quest to save his family. In Tango Gameworks' follow-up to its unsettling original, Sebastian Castellanos re-enters the nightmarish STEM simulation to rescue his daughter Lily, once presumed dead.
As he navigates the warped corridors of this mental labyrinth, he uncovers a startling truth: The Watcher is actually serving his wife. Now, he has to save both his daughterandhis wife, which make the stakes even higher.
Alan Wake mixes psychological horror with great storytelling. You play as Alan Wake as he searches for his missing wife, Alice. Set in the eerie town of Bright Falls, the game blurs the line between reality and a dark, supernatural nightmare. As Alan confronts shadowy forces and unexplainable phenomena, the narrative unfolds through episodic chapters reminiscent of a suspenseful TV series.
You’ll have to solve puzzles and fight terrifying creatures as you struggle to find your wife. The game’s detailed environments and compelling narrative set it apart from other horror games.
Silent Hill 2 is a psychological horror masterpiece that follows James Sunderland, who is drawn to the fog-enshrouded town after receiving a cryptic letter from his deceased wife. You’ll have to guide him through distorted, nightmarish landscapes through a town that reflects his own inner turmoil.
The game blurs the line between reality and delusion, using eerie symbolism and disturbing encounters. You’ll have to navigate through Jame’s troubled past as you unravel the narrative and solve puzzles. The game has a slower pace, though there are some heart-pounding moments.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard reboots the classic survival horror formula in a first-person perspective. In this game, Ethan Winters embarks on a harrowing journey through a decrepit Louisiana plantation to find his missing wife, Mia. The atmosphere is thick with dread as Ethan navigates claustrophobic corridors and eerie rooms filled with grotesque family members and mutated foes.
The game puts a strong emphasis on resource management and puzzle-solving. You can even play the game in VR, which makes it even scarier. Its return to the series' horror roots has revitalized a long-beloved series.
